Song of the Day: Daniel G. Harmann - Hesitations

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Hesitations” by Daniel G. Harmann from his 2016 album, Slowing Down, on Hello Tower Media.

Daniel G. Harmann - Hesitations (MP3)

After ten studio albums, including many with his former band The Trouble Starts, Daniel G. Harmann continues to evolve and strengthen as a songwriter and lyricist. Harmann's tenth record, Slowing Down, is his second solo album in as many years, but it avoids the (perhaps ironic) proclamation of the album's title. Instead, Slowing Down is a disarmingly intimate record, Harmann's voice ringing above the tightly wound arrangements, many tracks centered on the interplay between keyboard and guitar.

This track, "Hesitations," in particular highlights the strength of Harmann's vocals, as well as the intricate keyboard part (played by Bill Nordwall) juxtaposed against Harmann's rhythmic guitar. Starting with the isolated sound of Nordwall's keyboard, "Hesitations" grows into a meditation on aging, evolution, and memory ("we were young & dumb now we’re cheating death"), themes which reverberate throughout the rest of the album. "Hesitations" contains a hard-won wisdom and honesty characteristic of Harmann's talents as a musician.

Harmann will play The Tractor Tavern on August 16th, in support of Jay Brannan, as well as The Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on August 14th. Check out his website and Facebook page for more details, as well as this video of Harmann & The Trouble Starts playing his powerful track "Estrella" from a KEXP in-studio back in 2010.